The bone-chilling cold of the first phase of the winter season has nearly paralyzed daily life across the country, especially in rural areas, where the situation is causing severe hardship.
According to the January monthly outlook published by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Wednesday, dense fog has delayed the appearance of sunlight across the country, particularly in northern regions, resulting in a sharp drop in temperatures.
The BMD predicts that one to two moderate to severe cold waves may sweep through the western, northwestern, northern and northeastern regions of the country this January.
Additionally, two to three mild to moderate cold waves may occur in other areas.
According to media report the ongoing cold wave has caused an increase in cold-related illnesses, affecting many, particularly children and the elderly.
The Directorate General of Health Services notes that the number of hospital admissions due to cold-related ailments is steadily rising, with most patients being children and the elderly.
The severe cold weather and dense fog have significantly disrupted the country’s transportation systems.
On highways, vehicles are moving at reduced speeds due to the heavy fog.
In Barisal, the sale of warm clothing, including imported blankets and quilts, is thriving due to the extreme cold.
Markets and temporary shops in Barisal and surrounding areas reveal that the poor are compelled to purchase warm clothing to combat the cold.
With the sudden drop in temperature, the sale of blankets, sweaters, blazers, shawls, caps, socks and comforters has increased significantly since midweek.
In districts such as Feni, Rangpur, Jamalpur and Dinajpur, government, non-government and social organizations are distributing blankets and other warm clothing to the needy and impoverished.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) reports that dense fog caused ferry operations on the Paturia-Daulatdia route in Manikganj to be suspended at 11pm on Friday.
Services resumed around 6:30am on Sunday after visibility improved slightly.
In Sirajganj, the past few days of intense cold have disrupted normal life.
Rural residents are suffering more than urban dwellers due to dense fog and extreme cold.
At 6am on Sunday, Sirajganj recorded a minimum temperature of 12.2°C.
Vehicles on the western region to the Jamuna Bridge and regional roads were seen traveling at reduced speeds with headlights on in the early morning due to heavy fog.
In Jhenaidah, the biting cold has severely affected day laborers, workers and the impoverished.
With the intensifying cold, many have flocked to warm clothing shops.
Since midnight on Friday, dense fog has blanketed Jhenaidah, with cold winds blowing from the north.
The minimum temperature in Jhenaidah is expected to be 13°C on Sunday.
In Satkhira, the sun was not visible until 1:45pm on Sunday.
Laborers and homeless individuals were seen lighting fires to stay warm.
According to local weather officials, the minimum temperature recorded this morning in Satkhira was 13.2°C.
The BMD’s forecast suggests a mild cold wave in Panchagarh, which is likely to persist.
Medium to dense fog is expected across the country from midnight to Monday morning, with some areas experiencing fog until noon.
The 24-hour weather forecast says: "From midnight tonight until Monday morning, medium to dense fog is likely across the country, which may persist until noon in some places."
It also mentioned that dense fog might temporarily disrupt air travel, river transport and road communication.
The BMD reported the country's lowest temperature on Friday in Tetulia, Rangpur division, at 9.4°C, while the highest temperature recorded this morning was 28.2°C.
In Dhaka, the minimum temperature was recorded at 13°C.
